When I get introduced to yet another creative that I am shocked to not have known before, it underlines my amazement about the myriad talents in the world.

Tunde Owolabi’s work has me dusting off that amazement yet again. He is one of the artists with multiple expressions of his art: photography. He’s studied painting, graphic design and photography. He has worked as an Art Director but currently runs Tunde Owolabi Studios and StudioMO in partnership with a friend.

I let my mood or whatever is inspiring me at that moment set the tone and the pace of my work. I love challenges and I love to set projects for myself. That way, I am able to tell a story and bring my audience or viewers into my world.

Looking through the internet for what to do with my grandmother’s vintage trunks (post for another day), I came across quite a number of vintage-inspired suitcases and boxes that are once again fueling my wanderlust – like almost everything these days. Coupled with the fact that Downton Abbey is one of my favorite TV shows, I’m totally sold on upgrading my travel bags to these retro/vintage inspired trunks. And my favorite one so far has to be from the Nappa Dori collection.

Nappa Dori (literarily means leather and thread) is an Indian based intimate fashion house and artisan brand. With its distinct designs and fine craftsmanship, this brand reinvigorates the nostalgia of vintage India, blending it into contemporary lifestyles.
These trunks! Oh, this is what one needs to see the world in.

an innovative nonprofit social enterprise & lifestyle brand that supports women in Rwanda through economic empowerment and education. Our mission is to break intergenerational cycles of poverty by providing female artisans with the tools and support to reclaim their own futures, flourish as independent businesswomen, and drive development in their communities.

Now, isn’t that a worthwhile project? But long before I was drawn to the idea behind this project, what caught my eye was the beautiful handcrafted products made by the artisans in their program. From minimalist jewelry to clothing to interior knick knack for your homes, their wares look beautifully made – I want to buy everything!

It’s an all-win situation, really. The team works closely with artisan women groups, provides job training skills, then sells the products on their e-commerce site – proceeds of which go back to more education so that these women can operate on their own, if they want.

I love the quaintness of repurposed things: an old chest/trunk as a coffee table, your grandmother’s favorite tea cup as a planter, old castle door as a dinning table top. There’s such an eccentric charm that I can’t get over, and this is one of the things that won my heart with The Giving Keys.The Giving Keys is a Los Angeles based jewelry company founded by singer-songwriter and actress Caitlin Crosby . Working to repurpose old keys into modern jewelry and accessories, The Giving Keys engraves inspiring words on keys and then creates necklaces, bracelets and rings with the engraved keys.

It started with a New York hotel room key. The Giving Keys founder, actress and singer/songwriter, Caitlin Crosby, wore the key as a necklace and had the idea to start engraving old, used keys with inspirational words. Realizing that in a way we are all like these keys – unique, flawed, scarred, and at risk of being discarded – she wanted these keys to have their purpose renewed over and over again.